Things look for while applying different d.schools?

[ddsjc2014]

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I'm applying 15 different d.schools for the next 2009 cycle.
The schools that I choose were based on their out of state acceptance rate, GPA, DAT.
What other factors should I concern while choosing d.schools?
(such as additional essay, many shadowing hours)
I don't want to waste application fees where my application is not applicable.
Thanks guys..

My stats.
BCP : 3.25
Non-sci : 3.68
cGPA : ~3.4 - 3.5
DAT : not yet taken. (AIM for 23<)
Shadowing Hours : 135hrs
E.C : Humanity Habitat
Volunteered at many hospitals.
LOR : from 2 BIO, 1 CHEM, 1 Math, 1 ENG, 1 DDS.

 

[Booboohuevos]

You should also take into consideration amount of out of state applicants VS accepted. A lot of schools only take a small, small number out of their out of state applicant pool. Others, like Maryland, take a decent number of out out of staters. You may also want to factor in what you want out of a school.

 

[blankguy]

Also take into consideration location. If you want to go to the northeast apply to a bunch of schools there.

 

[jdoc04]

Blankguy beat me to it. Location...Do you want to live there for 4 years?

Also look into what the school is known for...like research, clinically, # of students who specialize, class size, student faculty ratio, type of curriculum (PBL or no PBL)....etc...

Most important question...What are you looking for in a dental school?

Good luck with your search!!

 

[tinman831]

For every school that you are interested in, go to their website, and look up their requirements in order to see if you meet them. 🙂

 

[blankguy]

I think the most important thing is the curriculum set up first and foremost. Research is nice, community service is nice but the most important is curriculum. Things like when they take the boards. Another bit is where you want to practice if you want to practice in the west coast go to a WREB school. It will make life that much more easier than having to travel to another school with your own patient to take the regional board that you want to take. Extracurriculars like research and community service you can get involved in whichever school you end up going.

 

[jigabodo]

I think the most important thing is the curriculum set up first and foremost. Research is nice, community service is nice but the most important is curriculum. Things like when they take the boards. Another bit is where you want to practice if you want to practice in the west coast go to a WREB school. It will make life that much more easier than having to travel to another school with your own patient to take the regional board that you want to take. Extracurriculars like research and community service you can get involved in whichever school you end up going.

I completely agree. The type of board schools offer is one of the very important factors for me.

 

[oldschool99]

Student to Prof. ratio, class size, board scores, graduation %, and location, location, location just to name a few. (not in any order)

 

[alflley]

I think the most important thing is the curriculum set up first and foremost. Research is nice, community service is nice but the most important is curriculum. Things like when they take the boards. Another bit is where you want to practice if you want to practice in the west coast go to a WREB school. It will make life that much more easier than having to travel to another school with your own patient to take the regional board that you want to take. Extracurriculars like research and community service you can get involved in whichever school you end up going.

what's a WREB school?

 

[sajjy]

Also take into consideration location. If you want to go to the northeast apply to a bunch of schools there.

Yeap...hahaha...blankguy knows my choice also.😀

 

[jigabodo]

what's a WREB school?

Schools that offer WREB clinical exam.

 

[JamieMac]

what's a WREB school?

Many states require a different board exam...

See link:

http://www.adha.org/careerinfo/exam_boards.htm